2020 Fixture

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group has condemned today’s released AFL 2020 fixture with the Brisbane Lions scheduled to play four games only in Melbourne, a direct contravention of the 1996 merger agreement, where Fitzroy fans were promised in writing that  “The Merged Club will play one half of the total number of home and away games per season at the Gabba and as many Melbourne based away premiership games as possible will be played at Optus Oval or the Melbourne Cricket Ground (but not less than 6).”

Due to circumstances that were not envisaged in 1996, Optus Oval (Princes Park) and Waverley Stadium are now no longer used as an AFL venues. However as this venue has been replaced by the Docklands Stadium (currently named Marvel Stadium), there should be no real reason why the AFL cannot continue to guarantee a minimum six games in Melbourne. While the VLSG does not necessarily support the staging of one of these six games at Geelong, we recognise that Fitzroy did play away games at this venue in the days of the VFL.

However we oppose any mooted transfer of one of these six games to Tasmania as part of any separate North Melbourne or Hawthorn deal with the government of Tasmania to play games in Hobart and/or Launceston.

What is particular galling is that Greater Western Sydney, a club with no historical connection plays seven games in Melbourne in 2020, with away games at the MCG three times, and Marvel Stadium four times.

VLSG welcomes the return of the traditional lion

The Victorian Lions Supporters Group (VLSG) has welcomed the return of the Fitzroy Lion to the Brisbane Lions jumper for the 2015 season.

The VLSG is very appreciative of the “Lions Roar” advocacy group’s efforts in seeking the return of the Fitzroy Lion, after its removal in 2009.

Despite the return of the “Fitzroy Lion” to the jumper the VLSG points out that the Brisbane Lions still contravene both the spirit and the letter of the 1996 merger agreement. Clause 7.2c of the merger agreement states quite clearly that “The logo of the merged club will be the Fitzroy lion logo in perpetuity“;

The court settlement with the Fitzroy Football Club in 2010, stipulates that the Brisbane Lions have to use the Fitzroy Lion on all club stationary, all club publications and all membership and corporate sales marketing material for 14 years (until 2024) and for seven years (i.e. until the end of 2017), the masthead at the top of the page of the official Brisbane Lions’ website also has to feature the Fitzroy lion logo. However this clearly contravenes Clause 7.2c of the agreement.

We call upon the current Brisbane Lions administration to rectify the breaking of the merger agreement in 2009,  and to undertake the re-design of their official logo to include the “Fitzroy Lion” as pictured below.

Only then, can the Brisbane Lions truly say that they doing their utmost to observe the spirit and letter of the merger agreement that they, the Football Club and the AFL agreed to in 1996.

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Lions called to arms

Melbourne Express Sport

Friday March 16, 2001 (Page 18)

Lions called to arms
Michael Place

The Brisbane Lions’ Melbourne-based supporter group hopes tomorrow night’s Ansett Cup grand final can rekindle the passion of disenchanted Fitzroy supporters.

The clash against Port Adelaide at Football Park is the Lions’ first grand final since Fitzroy lost to Hawthorn in the 1992 night grand final (the clubs merged in 1997).
The Victorian Lions Supporters Group spokeswoman Sharon Torney believes even the most hardened objectors to the merger will feel some allegiance this weekend.